Combined shelf edge and hanger support

ABSTRACT

A metal strip that fits along the front edge of a shelf for reinforcing the shelf edge and also providing a place to hang conventional coat hangers is roll formed from sheet metal. A generally T-shaped end clip at each end is fittable over the edge bar for holding it in place and also for length adjustment. The end clip has a fastener receiving aperture on the cross bar of the T for accommodating a nail, screw or the like into the shelf end nailing strip.

United States Patent Ramsey 51 Sept. 5, 1972 [54] COMBINED SHELF EDGEAND HANGER SUPPORT [72] Inventor: Joe B. Ramsey, Walnut, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Acme General Corporation, Monrovia, Calif.

[22] Filed: Dec. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 100,101

[52] US. Cl ..211/123, 248/225 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47h 1/00 [58] Field ofSearch .....211/l23, 94, 105.1; 248/248, 248/214, 215, 225, 227; 223/85,87, 88, 120; 108/28, 29, 30, 31; 40/16, 132

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,120,309 2/1964 Goettl etal ..211/123 3,248,765 5/1966 Achabal ..248/227 X 3,084,463 4/1963 Guyer..40/132 3,294,353 12/1966 Rowe ..248/225 X 2,504,741 4/1950 Simpson..248/225 X 3,339,749 9/1967 Odegaard ..21 l/94 3,225,940 12/1965 Story.Q ..2l l/l53 2,940,600 6/ 1960 Bonia ..21 1 90 2,608,777 9/1952 Schuler..40/16 2,856,711 10/1958 Hobbs ..40/16 3,221,676 12/1965 Sedo 108/28Primary Examiner-Nile O. Byers, Jr. Attorney-Christie, Parker & Hale[57] ABSTRACT A metal strip that fits along the front edge of a shelffor reinforcing the shelf edge and also providing a place to hangconventional coat hangers is roll formed from sheet metal. A generallyT-shaped end clip at each end is fittable over the edge bar for holdingit in place and also for length adjustment. The end clip has a fastenerreceiving aperture on the cross bar of the T for accommodating a nail,screw or the like into the shelf end nailing strip.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Sept. 5, 1972 3 688 915 Lig MINVENTOR.

COMBINED SHELF EDGE AND HANGER SUPPORT BACKGROUND It is desirable toform closet shelves or the like out of relatively thin stock, such ascomposition board, or thin plywood; however, such thin panels cannot bythemselves support substantial weight. It is also desirable in closetsto provide a means for hanging conventional coat hangers or the like.Typically a separate bar is provided in a closet for coat hangers;however, there has been provided an edge strip connectible to theleading edge of the shelf for supporting hooks of coat hangers. Suchedge strips have required substantial shelf thicknesses since the edgestrip is supported by the shelf and must bear the weight of the hangersand transmit it to the shelf. This has been the case since prior edgestrips did not come completely to the end of the shelf for transmittingloads to the end nailing strips. Failures of the shelf material at theend nailing strips under heavy loads has been a problem. The only knownsolution has been to provide a recessed portion in an end nailing stripfor accommodating a portion of the edge bar; however, this requiressubstantial on'site labor when an edge bar is installed on a shelf.

Means must also be provided for retaining the edge bar on the shelf, andpreviously this has been done by locking the edge bar to the shelfitself. With thin shelf stock such interlocking is not feasible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, according to a presently preferredembodiment, there is provided a combined shelf edge and hanger supportassembly, including a pair of end clips of a generally T-shape. Each ofthe end clips has a flat portion fittable to a shelf top on the crossbarof the T, including an extension beyond the leg of the T on each sidethereof a distance corresponding to the thickness of the shelf endnailing strip, each of the extensions including a fastener receivingaperture and the end clip further comprising an internal portioncomplementary to a shelf edge and hanger bar, including at least aportion extending along the leg of the T.

DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of this invention willbe appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective a shelf having an edge strip and endclips incorporating principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross section of a shelf with an edge strip inplace;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a tool useful in installation of theshelf edge assembly;

FIG. 4 illustrates in perspective an end clip constructed according toprinciples of this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one end of the shelf with an edge strip and endclip in place.

Throughout the drawings like numerals refer to like parts.

DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates in cutaway perspective a shelf having acombined shelf edge and hanger support constructed according toprinciples of this invention. As illustrated in this presently preferredembodiment, there is provided a shelf 10 made of thin pressboard orplywood and mounted in a conventional closet or the like. The shelf issupported at its rear edge by a rear nailing strip 11 and is supportedat each side edge (or v end) by an end nailing strip 12. The end nailingstrips 12 preferably extend forwardly of the front edge of the shelf forsupporting the front edge, as will be apparent hereinafter. The nailingstrips 11 and 12 are typically nailed or screwed to a closet wall (notshown), and the shelf 10 is nailed or stapled to the nailing strips inat least a few locations to prevent the shelf from being shifted orraised.

Along the forward edge of the shelf 10 is a shelf edge and hangersupport assembly formed of an elongated strip 13 extending the principalportion of the length of the shelf and a pair of similar end clips 14one at each end of the edge strip 13.

The edge strip 13 and an end clip 14 are seen in the transverse crosssection of FIG. 2. The edge strip is preferably made of sheet steel andis conveniently roll formed into the illustrated cross section which isuniform throughout the length of the edge strip. The cross section ofthe edge strip can be considered for purposes of exposition as havingtwo interconnected portions, namely, a U-shaped portion engaging theedge of the shelf 10 and a J-shaped portion extending below the shelf.The bight 16 of the U-shaped portion extends along the front edge of theshelf 10 and, typically, is in close engagement there against. One leg17 of the U-shaped portion lies along the top surface of the shelf andtypically lies substantially parallel to the surface of the shelf asconstrained by the end clips 14. The angle between the bight l6 and topleg 17 of the U- shaped portion may not be a right angle, and atriangular space may occur between the front edge of the shelf and theinterior of the bight of the U when it is installed on the shelf.

The lower leg 18 of the U is beneath the shelf and has at least its openend 19 in engagement with the lower surface of the shelf. Thus, thefront edge of the shelf is between the legs 17 and 18 of the U andtypically is gripped therebetween due to springiness of the sheet steelforming the edge strip.

In manufacturing the edge strip 16 it is preferred to make itsufficiently versatile that it can be used with shelves in the sizerange of from about A to V4 inch as may be required in a particularapplication. These sizes are, of course, only exemplary and strips canbe made in a variety of sizes. In order to accommodate such a range ofsizes, the U-shaped portion is formed with the bight 16 of the U havingan internal dimension of slightly more than V4 inch so that shelf stockof this larger dimension can be accommodated within the U. Also, theopen end of the U-shaped portion is formed with an opening of about A;inch so that when the edge strip is installed upon A: inch thick shelfstock the legs 17 and 18 of the U-shaped portion grip the shelf stockfor eliminating any looseness of the edge strip relative to the shelf.This permits the upper leg 17 to lie substantially parallel to the topsurface of the shelf and, typically, when so installed a triangularspace 21 occurs between the lower leg 18 and the bottom surface of theshelf. The close spacing at the open end of the U also grips the shelfwith a degree of frictional resistance that inhibits removal of the edgestrip from the edge of the shelf.

If desired in manufacturing operations, different sizes of openings ofthe U-shaped portion may be formed for different shelf thicknesses.However, it is more convenient to form a single edge'strip size with thenarrowest usable opening and enlarge the opening on the job as requiredfor a particular installation.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a tool useful for opening up the openend of the U-shaped portion along the full length of the strip, as maybe required for a particular installation on shelf stock having greaterthan the minimum thickness. As illustrated in this embodiment, a doubleconical wheel 23 is mounted for rotation in a yoke 24 having anyconvenient handle (not shown). The two cones forming the wheel 23 areshallow and the periphery of the wheel is sufficiently narrow to enterthe open edge of the U-shapedportion of the edge strip as formed. Inorder to enlarge the opening of the U-shaped portion of the edge strip,the wheel 23 is rolled along the length thereof and forced into theopening. The shallow cones on the wheel tend to spread and enlarge theopening of the U-shaped portion so that it can accommodate any desiredshelf thickness up to about /4 inch. It will be noted that absoluteuniformity of opening of the U-shaped portion is not required since whenthe edge strip is installed it is preferred to have the U-shaped portionelastically deformed so as to tightly grip the shelf edge. If desired apair of such wheels in tandem may be used on the enlarging tool. Otherarrangements for opening the width of the U-shaped portion will beapparent.

Installation of the edge strip on the front edge of a shelf involvesopening of the U-shaped portion, if required, and then the top leg 17,which is slightly longer than the lower leg 18, is placed on the topsurface of the shelf. The open end 19 of the lower leg 18 is rounded soas to best slide onto the shelf edge. The edge strip is then pushed intoplace as illustrated in FIG. 2, either simply by hand or with theassistance of a rubber mallet or the like.

Connected to the open end 19 of the lower leg 18 is a deep J-shapedportion of the edge strip 13. In the illustrated embodiment, theJ-shaped portion has a longer leg 26 connected at the open end 19 to thelower leg of the U-shaped portion. The longer leg 26 extends downwardlyand forwardly relative to the shelf, typically at an angle of about 30from the vertical. The hook or shorter leg 27 of the J-shaped portion isapproximately parallel to the longer leg 26 and is rear wardly thereofas installed on a shelf. In the illustrated embodiment the bight of theJ between the longer leg 26 and shorter leg 27 is formed of two flatportions 28 and 29 at approximately right angles to each other. Thefirst of these flat portions 28 is approximately parallel to the bight16 of the U-shaped portion of the edge strip and, hence, as installed isapproximately vertical. The other flat portion 29 is thereforeapproximately horizontal; Other shapes of the bight of the J-shapedportion, such as a continuous curve, can be employed if desired.

At the open end of the shorter leg 27 of the J-shaped portion is arounded lip 31 terminating in a rolled edge 32 on the under side. Wheninstalled on a shelf, the open end of the .I-shaped portion facesrearwardly and is sized for accommodating the hook on a conventionalcoat hanger or the like (not shown). Thus, the J-shaped portion of theedge strip serves as a support for coat hangers beneath the closetshelf.

Such an arrangement thus stiffens the forward edge of the shelf and alsoprovides a place for coat hangers, thereby eliminating the laborrequired for adding a separate hanger bar beneath the shelf. Labor isalso saved by providing a prefinished edge strip which masks the frontedge of the shelf, thereby minimizing finishing of the shelf edge thatmight be required if it were exposed. The great amount of stiffeningthat is provided on the front edge of the shelf permits the use of V4inch plywood for forming the shelves, or pressboard that may be as thinas k inch and still provide adequate strength for substantial loads onthe shelf.

If an edge strip alone, as described to this point, were employed on ashelf of such thin stock, the full weight of any clothing hung in theJ-shaped portion would be transmitted to the shelf itself, and it hasbeen found that such an arrangement causes failure of the shelf adjacentthe end nailing strips. There is, therefore, provided in practice ofthis invention a pair of end clips 14, one at each end of the edge strip13.

Each of the end clips 14 is formed of sheet steel, preferably of heaviergauge than the edge strip 13, and has a cross section substantiallysimilar to that of the edge strip. Because of this similarity, which isapparent in the cross section of FIG. 2, the cross section of the endclip 14 is not described in detail; however, the portions thereofcorresponding to similar portions of the edge strip are indicated bylike reference numerals increased by 100, that is, for one example, thebight of the U-shaped portion of the edge strip is designated by numeral16 and the corresponding bight on the edge clip is indicated by numeral116. The cross section of the end clip 14 differs from that of the edgestrip 13 in that the inside of the clip is approximately congruent withthe outside of the edge strip. Clearances are provided, for example,between the curved opening 19 on the edge strip and the correspondingcurve 119 on the end clip so that the clip fits readily over the edgestrip. With such an arrangement, an end clip can be slid onto the end ofan edge strip and slid along its length. It is preferred that arelatively tight fit be provided between the end clip and the edge stripso that they are not really loose relative to each other and do notfreely slide. Tight fit therebetween also eliminates any twisting of theclip relative to the edge strip when installed. The tight fit alsoallows minimum shelf deflection and therefore minimum loading beforeload begins to be transferred to the nailing strips. A loose fit allowssignificant sag at the joint where the end clip overlaps the bar and mayinduce excessive loads on the shelf.

The end clip cross section includes one portion not present in the edgestrip 13, viz, a flat extension 134 at the open end of the upper leg117. The plane of the extension 134 is offset from the plane of theupper leg 1 17 by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of thesheet metal employed for forming the edge strip 13. Thus, when the edgestrip and end clip are installed on a shelf, the upper leg 17 of theedge strip and the extension 134 of the end clip can both liesubstantially flush with the top surface of the shelf. This is importantfor both safety of users and appearance. In the absence of an extensionflush with the shelf a fastener into the end nailing strip would crushthe end clip since there is no supporting edge strip in that region.Absence could also cause the edge clip to tilt up some before loads areapplied.

As may be better seen in the views of FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the endclips 14 has a substantially T-shape with the U-shaped portion of thecross section extending in a direction along the'front edge of the shelfa greater distance than the J-shaped portion of the cross section. Thus,the U-shaped portion of the cross section forms the cross bar of the T,and the J-shaped portion forms the leg of the T. The crossbar portion ofthe end clip typically extends beyond the leg a distance of about )4;inch or slightly more. It will be recognized that the standard thicknessof nominal 1 inch planed lumber is 13/16 inch. The end nailing strip forsupporting the shelf is typically made of one inch planed lumber.Therefore, the portion of the cross bar of the end clip beyond the legis preferably installed so that the side of the leg is flush with theend nailing strip and the extension of the crossbar lies over aprincipal portion of the end nailing strip. A hole 135 is provided inthe extension 134 in the portion extending beyond the leg of the T. Anail, staple, or screw driven through the hole 135 thus enters the endnailing strip used for supporting the shelf.

In a typical installation a shelf may have a nominal length of 4 feet;however, in actual practice the length of the shelf may vary asubstantial amount from this nominal length. In such an installation anedge strip having a length of 45 inches is employed. Typical end clipshave a leg of the T with a width of about 2 inches, that is, in adirection extending along the length of the shelf. Since the end clipsare slidable along the length of the edge strip, any variation in lengthof the shelf from the nominal length can be accommodated. Thus, withdimensions as set forth in this example, a length of shelf from about 46k to 50 inches can be accommodated with standard parts. This is ofsignificant advantage since stock lengths of edge strip can be employedand fitted to each particular installation by sliding the end clips asrequired rather than requiring any on-the-job cutting of the edge stripto the appropriate length. This minimizes on-the-job labor and waste dueto erroneous cutting. If it is necessary to provide an edge strip inother than a standard length, an end can be readily cut off of the edgestrip without any great precision required in either the location orangle of out since the cut edge is almost completely obscured by the endclip.

As mentioned hereinabove, a problem with prior hanger supports connectedto the edge of the shelf has been that the entire load of the clothinghanging on the hanger support has been transmitted to the shelf itself,and this load must in turn be transmitted to the end nailing strips.This has resulted in failures of shelves, particularly in thin stock atlocations between the ends of the hanger support and the nailing strip.

In the arrangement provided in practice of this invention, the edgestrip is sufficiently strong to accommodate the weight of clothinghanging thereon, plus an equal weight applied to the shelf, over a spanof as much as four feet without any intermediate bracing. For longerlengths, an intermediate brace may be desirable. The loads applied bythe hanger support are transmitted, not to the shelf, but to the endclips 14 which fit closely about the edge strip at its ends. Thedownward load imposed by hanging clothes is then transmitted by the endclip directly to the end nailing strip by way of the portion of thecrossbar of the end clip extending beyond the leg thereof. Thus, the endclip substantially completely removes the load of clothing hanging onthe hanger support from the shelf and applies it directly to the endnailing strips which are sufficiently strong to support it. This, plusthe rigidification provided by the edge strip along the forward edge ofthe shelf, permits the use of shelf stock in the range of from about A;to inch, thereby providing substantial savings in material. This is ofsignificant advantage in construction of mobile homes or the like whereA inch plywood and similar materials are employed for a variety ofpanels, and small pieces that would otherwise be scrap may be employedfor forming closet shelves.

The end clips perform the additional function of holding the edge stripin place on the forward edge of the shelf. Previously edge strips havebeen secured to the shelf itself by mechanical fasteners, barbs or thelike to prevent the edge strip from moving forwardly and off of the edgeof the shelf. Fasteners such as nails, screws, or the like, require anappreciable shelf thickness in order to be satisfactory, and evenprovision of barbs along the shelf edge limits the minimum thickness ofshelf stock that is useful. The fastener holes in the end clips permitnailing or stapling of the end clips to the end nailing strip, therebyholding both the clips and the edge strip in place on the forward edgeof the shelf. It is found in practice that no additional connection tothe shelf is required, thereby permitting the use of shelf stock as thinas inch. In some situations the edge bar and end clips can be usedwithout fastening to the end nailing strips, however, if large loads areapplied, the end clip may tilt with the top towards the center andbottom toward the wall, causing the top portion to pull away from thewall.

Although but one embodiment of shelf edge and hanger support assemblyhas been described and illustrated herein, many modifications andvariations will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Thus, forexample, each of the end clips can be an L-shaped piece of oppositehandedness at opposite ends of the shelf and this is substantiallyequivalent to a pair of T-shaped clips. The advantages of a singleT-shaped clip in manufacture, storage, and use will, however, beapparent. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope ofthe appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described.

What is claimed is: 1. An assembly comprising: an edge strip for fittingalong the forward edge of a shelf or the like including means forreinforcing the forward edge of a shelf and means for supporting coathangers or the like beneath the shelf; and a pair of end clips, one oneach end of the edge strip,

each end clip comprising: an internal surface approximately congruentwith an external surface of the edge strip and slidable along the lengththereof; a laterally extending portion for overlying the top of theshelf and a principal portion of the width of a standard end nailingstrip which extends beyond the shelf edge at an end of a shelf; and afastener receiver in the laterally extending portion.

2. An assembly comprising:

an edge strip for fitting along the forward edge of a shelf or the likeincluding means for reinforcing the forward edge of a shelf and meansfor supporting coat hangers or the like beneath the shelf; and

' a pair of substantially identical end clips, one for each end of theedge strip, each end clip comprising an internal surface approximatelycongruent with an external surface of the edge strip and slidable alongthe length thereof; and wherein each end clip comprises a substantiallyT shape with an extending portion forming at least a part of thecrossbar of the T for overlying a principal portion of the width of astandard end nailing strip at an end of a shelf, the congruent surfaceforming at least a part of the leg of the T; and further comprising afastener receiver on the crossbar of the T.

3. An assembly comprising:

an edge strip for fitting along the forward edge of a shelf or the likeincluding means for reinforcing the forward edge of the shelf comprisinga U- shaped portion having legs for fitting on the top and bottomsurfaces of a shelf and a bight for fitting along the forward edge of ashelf, and means for supporting coat hangers or the like beneath theshelf; and

a pair of end clips, one for each end of the edge strip,

each end clip comprising: an internal surface approximately congruentwith an external surface 'of the edge strip and slidable along thelength thereof; an extending portion for overlying a principal portionof the width of a standard end nailing strip at an end of a shelf; and afastener receiver in the extending-portion.

4. An assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the means for supportingcoat hangers comprises a J- shaped portion integral with and dependingfrom the U-shaped portion and having a rearwardly facing openmg.

5. An assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein each of the end clips has across section having a U-shaped portion and a J-shaped portionsubstantially similar to the U-shaped and J-shaped portions,respectively, of the edge strip, the J-shaped portion forming the leg ofthe T-shaped end clip and the U-shaped portion forming the cross bar ofthe T.

6. An assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the opening of the U-shapedportion is smaller than the bight of the U-shaped portion for receivinga shelf edge having a thickness in the range of from the opening widthto the width of the bight.

7. An end clip for a shelf edge and hanger bar for connection to a shelfand nailing strip, in the form of a generally T-shaped piece comprising:

a flat portion for fitting on a shelf top on the crossbar of the T, theflat portion including an extension beyond the leg of the T on each sidethereof a distance corresponding to a principal portion of the thicknessof a standard shelf and nailing strip; a pair of astener receivingapertures, one in each extension; and

an internal portion complementary to a shelf edge and hanger stripincluding at least a portion extending along the leg of the T.

8. An end clip as defined in claim 7 including at least a portion on thecrossbar of the T for fitting adjacent the bottom of a shelf.

9. A combined shelf edge and hanger support assembly for fitting alongthe forward edge of the shelf or the like comprising:

an elongated edge strip having a cross section with a generally U-shapedportion including a first leg for fitting on the top of a shelf, asecond leg for fitting on the bottom of a shelf and a bight for fittingagainst the forward edge of a shelf; and a generally J -shaped portionhaving the top of the longer leg of the J-shaped portion joined to thetop of the second leg of the U-shaped portion and extending downwardlyand forwardly relative to a shelf edge, the hook of the J openingrearwardly relative to the shelf edge for receiving a hanger hook; and

a pair of similar end clips, each of the end clips having a crosssection substantially similar to the cross section of the edge strip andsufficiently larger than the edge strip to fit at least partly over theoutside of the U-shaped and J-shaped portions, the U-shaped portion ofeach end clip extending laterally further than the J-shaped portion fordefining a generally T-shaped piece with the U- shaped portion formingthe bar of the T and a J- shaped portion defining the leg of the T.

10. A combined shelf edge and hanger support assembly as defined inclaim 9 wherein the U-shaped portion of each end clip further comprisesan extension on the leg overlapping the first leg of the edge strip, theextension being offset from the first leg of the U-shaped portion of theend clip by a distance corresponding approximately to the thickness ofthe first leg of the U- shaped portion of the edge bar so that theextension is fittable against the top of a shelf, the extension furthercomprising a fastener receiving aperture on each of the portions thereofextending further laterally than the J- shaped piece for receiving afastener connectable to a shelf end nailing strip.

P0405) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,688,915 Dated September 5 1.972

Inv nt fl Joe B. Ramsey It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Columnline 40, "1/2" should be --1/s-- Signed and sealed this 13th dayof March- 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting OfficerCommissioner'of Paten1:s

1. An assembly comprising: an edge strip for fitting along the forwardedge of a shelf or the like including means for reinforcing the forwardedge of a shelf and means for supporting coat hangers or the likebeneath the shelf; and a pair of end clips, one on each end of the edgestrip, each end clip comprising: an internal surface approximatelycongruent with an external surface of the edge strip and slidable alongthe length thereof; a laterally extending portion for overlying the topof the shelf and a principal portion of the width of a standard endnailing strip which extends beyond the shelf edge at an end of a shelf;and a fastener receiver in the laterally extending portion.
 2. Anassembly comprising: an edge strip for fitting along the forward edge ofa shelf or the like including means for reinforcing the forward edge ofa shelf and means for supporting coat hangers or the like beneath theshelf; and a pair of substantially identical end clips, one for each endof the edge strip, each end clip comprising an internal surfaceapproximately congruent with an external surface of the edge strip andslidable along the length thereof; and wherein each end clip comprises asubstantially T shape with an extending portion forming at least a partof the crossbar of the T for overlying a principal portion of the widthof a standard end nailing strip at an end of a shelf, the congruentsurface forming at least a part of the leg of the T; and furthercomprising a fastener receiver on the crossbar of the T.
 3. An assemblycomprising: an edge strip for fitting along the forward edge of a shelfor the like including means for reinforcing the forward edge of theshelf comprising a U-shaped portion having legs for fitting on the topand bottom surfaces of a shelf and a bight for fitting along the forwardedge of a shelf, and means for supporting coat hangers or the likebeneath the shelf; and a pair of end clips, one for each end of the edgestrip, each end clip comprising: an internal surface approximatelycongruent with an external surface of the edge strip and slidable alongthe length thereof; an extending portion for overlying a principalportion of the width of a standard end nailing strip at an end of ashelf; and a fastener receiver in the extending portion.
 4. An assemblyas defined in claim 3 wherein the means for supporting coat hangerscomprises a J-shaped portion integral with and depending from theU-shaped portion and having a rearwardly facing opening.
 5. An assemblyas defined in claim 4 wherein each of the end clips has a cross sectionhaving a U-shaped portion and a J-shaped portion substantially similarto the U-shaped and J-shaped portions, rEspectively, of the edge strip,the J-shaped portion forming the leg of the T-shaped end clip and theU-shaped portion forming the cross bar of the T.
 6. An assembly asdefined in claim 3 wherein the opening of the U-shaped portion issmaller than the bight of the U-shaped portion for receiving a shelfedge having a thickness in the range of from the opening width to thewidth of the bight.
 7. An end clip for a shelf edge and hanger bar forconnection to a shelf and nailing strip, in the form of a generallyT-shaped piece comprising: a flat portion for fitting on a shelf top onthe crossbar of the T, the flat portion including an extension beyondthe leg of the T on each side thereof a distance corresponding to aprincipal portion of the thickness of a standard shelf and nailingstrip; a pair of fastener receiving apertures, one in each extension;and an internal portion complementary to a shelf edge and hanger stripincluding at least a portion extending along the leg of the T.
 8. An endclip as defined in claim 7 including at least a portion on the crossbarof the T for fitting adjacent the bottom of a shelf.
 9. A combined shelfedge and hanger support assembly for fitting along the forward edge ofthe shelf or the like comprising: an elongated edge strip having a crosssection with a generally U-shaped portion including a first leg forfitting on the top of a shelf, a second leg for fitting on the bottom ofa shelf and a bight for fitting against the forward edge of a shelf; anda generally J-shaped portion having the top of the longer leg of theJ-shaped portion joined to the top of the second leg of the U-shapedportion and extending downwardly and forwardly relative to a shelf edge,the hook of the J opening rearwardly relative to the shelf edge forreceiving a hanger hook; and a pair of similar end clips, each of theend clips having a cross section substantially similar to the crosssection of the edge strip and sufficiently larger than the edge strip tofit at least partly over the outside of the U-shaped and J-shapedportions, the U-shaped portion of each end clip extending laterallyfurther than the J-shaped portion for defining a generally T-shapedpiece with the U-shaped portion forming the bar of the T and a J-shapedportion defining the leg of the T.
 10. A combined shelf edge and hangersupport assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein the U-shaped portion ofeach end clip further comprises an extension on the leg overlapping thefirst leg of the edge strip, the extension being offset from the firstleg of the U-shaped portion of the end clip by a distance correspondingapproximately to the thickness of the first leg of the U-shaped portionof the edge bar so that the extension is fittable against the top of ashelf, the extension further comprising a fastener receiving aperture oneach of the portions thereof extending further laterally than theJ-shaped piece for receiving a fastener connectable to a shelf endnailing strip.